Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 12
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
The latest official statistics shows that Iran’s aluminium and copper output has registered fall during the current fiscal year, which started March 20.
Iran’s aluminium ingot output amounted to 194,913 tons during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) reported.
The figure indicates a fall by 3 percent compared to the same period of the preceding year.
At least 28,900 tons of aluminium ingots were produced in the country in the seventh Iranian calendar month (Sept. 22-Oct. 22), almost at the same level of output in the previous month.
Iran’s aluminium ingot production capacity stands at 487,000 tons per year. The figure is planned to reach 823,000 tons by 2020.
The Islamic republic also produced 644,160 tons of copper concentrate during the first seven months of current fiscal year, 3 percent more year on year.
Meanwhile, cathode copper output registered a fall by 30 percent to 77,600 tons during the 7-month period.
Iran possesses the world’s second largest copper reserve. At present, six copper mines are operating in the country.
Iran’s copper production capacity stands at around 200,000 tons per year and the capacity is projected to double by March 2020.
The country’s proven mineral reserves stand at 37 billion tons.
Exploratory operations in aluminium and iron ore mines are the top priorities of Iran’s Industry, Mines, and Trade Ministry for making investments.
Aluminium and iron mines are also among the top four discovery priorities. According to the ministry, Iran daily produces 1.2 million tons of minerals.